Sunday, December 20, 2015

CARA CARISSIMA

Written by Geoff
Page

Directed by Tanya Gruber

The Acting Company in association with Shadow
House Pits

The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre to December 20

Review by Len Power 17 December 2015

‘Cara Carissima’ by Canberra poet, Geoff Page, is a
delightfully quirky one hour play in verse.Set in a Canberra coffee bar, we eavesdrop on an unhappily married
senior public servant (Peter Robinson) and his recently-single executive
assistant (Cara Irvine).His wife
(Nikki-Lyn Hunter) and her sister (Kate Blackhurst) also meet for coffee there
and the barrista (Bruno Galdino) observes their interactions and keeps us
informed of developments.

Cara Irvine as the executive assistant gives a standout
performance.With her nicely judged
playing of a woman keeping her emotions just under control, she is totally
believable.Peter Robinson gives an
appealing, naturalistic performance as the senior public servant, providing
much of the humour in the show as he flounders in his dealings with the three
women.Nikki-Lyn Hunter is effectively
edgy as the bitter wife and Kate Blackhurst is a strong presence as the wife’s
sister.As the all-knowing barrista,
Bruno Galdino is quite impressive.He’s
charming to his customers but there’s a creepy insincerity under the surface.

Tanya Gruber has directed the show with great attention to
detail in the characterizations.On a
simple coffee shop set, designed by Charlotte Stewart, it plays very well in
the round.The director has ensured that
the actors handle the reading of the verse effectively.Much of the humour of the play works because
of the rhythm of the verse.

Geoff Page has written a compelling slice of life with good
characters and a story we can all relate to and enjoy.

This review was first published in Canberra City News digital edition on 18 December 2015. Len Power's reviews can also be heard on artsound FM's 'Artcetera' program from 9.00am Saturdays.

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About Me

The 26 year-old Canberra Critics’ Circle is the only such group of critics in Australia that runs across all the major art forms, not just performing arts.
The circle changes each year depending on who is writing or broadcasting on the arts in Canberra.
Our aim is to provide a focal point for Canberra reviewers in print and electronic media through discussions and forums. As well, we make awards to ACT region artists (defined as within 100km radius of Canberra) in the latter part of each year.
The CCC has always resisted making awards in “best-of” categories. Arts practice is not a competitive race and Canberra is a small pool where it would be ridiculous to pre-impose categories, apart from major art form genres. The idea is that we, the critics, single out qualities we have noticed -- things which have struck us as important. These could be expressed as abstracts, like impact, originality, creativity, craftsmanship and excellence.
Our year is from September 30 2016 to September 30 2017.
Convener of the Circle is Helen Musa.